Three-dimensional puzzle

ABSTRACT

A three-dimensional puzzle which consists of several mutually permanently connected puzzle bodies which result in a regular tetrahedron in the assembled state. All puzzle elements consist of truncated pyramids of different sizes which are disk-like. All puzzle elements are combined to a chain, in which each puzzle element is connected with the next-larger one along an edge in such a manner that they can be folded about these edges with respect to one another. In this chain, the individual puzzle elements are arranged such that they form a band which winds helically about an imaginary vertical center axis.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a three-dimensional puzzle game for adults and childrenwhich results in a regular tetrahedron in the assembled state. It isused for entertainment and for demonstrating a specific geometricalprinciple.

The main game value of known puzzles is the achieving of the more orless tricky task of creating an order out of disorder. The disassemblingor mixing-up does not have any special appeal. This has the disadvantagethat the interest in the puzzle will wane as soon as it is determinedhow it can be assembled correctly and can be solved.

The tetrahedron puzzles known from U.S. Patent Documents U.S. Pat. Nos.3,565,442 and 4,323,245 as well as the tetrahedron puzzle known fromGerman Design Patent G 88 08 167.2 also have this disadvantage. In thecase of the latter, this disadvantage is compensated by the fact that itcan also be used for various purposes that are not game-related.

Another disadvantage of the known puzzles is that, even when they have aregular design, not much attention is paid to the geometrical principleson which the puzzles are based because the "pile of rubble" of theindividual pieces stimulates thoughts on how the destroyed whole can berestored and not on according to which principle the individual pieceswere shaped.

In addition, familiarity alone is a disadvantage in the case of puzzlegames, and there is always a demand for novel puzzles.

It is the object of the invention to provide a three-dimensional puzzlegame which is surprising in its unfamiliar pattern and creates specialinterest. The puzzle is to be entertaining not only when it is assembledbut also when it is disassembled. For this purpose, the specialcharacteristic of the tetrahedron is to be demonstrated impressivelywhich is that it can be divided by means of a plane cut into a"tetrahedron disk" and into a new tetrahedron.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present inventionwill become apparent from the following detailed description of theinvention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view of an assembled puzzle;

FIG. 2 is a top view of a disassembled puzzle;

FIGS. 3a and 3b are views of two individual puzzle bodies for thedemonstration of the size relationships between all elements; and

FIG. 4 is a view of the connection of the puzzle bodies on the exampleof two connected elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an assembled puzzle. It is a filled-in regulartetrahedron. On one surface, all puzzle elements are visible; on thesecond one, the largest three; on the third one, the largest two; and onthe fourth one, only the largest element. Of the four surfaces, only thefirst two are visible in the drawing.

When the puzzle is held on the smallest element and is pulled upwards,it unfolds into a chain of adhering elements which has the appearance ofa band which winds helically about an imaginary vertical center axis andbecomes continuously wider in the downward direction. When thisstructure is placed on a plane base, the elements are grouped such thatthey create the appearance of a snail shell with a five-cornered base. Aknocking-against this shape causes it to spread out more flatly into astructure of the type of a hexagon, as illustrated in a top view in FIG.2.

The game consists of several puzzle bodies of different sizes which areall permanently connected with one another. All elements, with theexception of the smallest one, are truncated pieces of a regulartetrahedron, as created by means of a flat cut in parallel to one of itssurfaces. The smallest element is itself a regular tetrahedron.

FIGS. 3a and 3b are top views of two individual puzzle elements andillustrate the size relationships between all elements: the smaller basetriangle 2-3-4 of each truncated tetrahedron piece is identical to thelarger base triangle 5-6-7 of the next smaller truncated tetrahedronpiece. Correspondingly, the smaller base triangle of the smallesttruncated tetrahedron piece is identical to a surface triangle of thesmallest tetrahedron-shaped puzzle element.

Each element is connected with the next-larger and next-smaller elementalong one of its respective edges. In each case, two equally long chainsare connected with one another. The connecting edges of the twoindividually shown elements in FIGS. 3a and 3b are, for example, theedge 2-3 of the larger and 5-7 of the smaller element. The connectededges abut directly with one another along their whole length. Theconnection is flexible so that the parts can be folded with respect toone another about the axis of the connected edges. The connection may beestablished by means of hinges, bands, threads or the like.

As an example, FIG. 4 is a top view of two connected puzzle pieces. Theedges of the two pieces are connected with one another at two points bymeans of threads 8 and 9. The threads are fastened in the interior ofthe puzzle bodies or are pulled through to the next connecting point.

The arrangement of all elements in the chain is illustrated in FIG. 2:If it is assumed that the truncated tetrahedron pieces are triangles,the apexes of all triangles, which are situated between the two edgesconnected with the adjacent elements, are disposed next to one another.

The height of the individual truncated tetrahedron parts and the numberof elements in the puzzle chain determine the size of the assembledtetrahedron. The height must not necessarily be the same in the case ofall elements. It may, for example, increase or decrease continuouslyfrom the smallest to the largest element.

The principle on which the game is based is demonstrated well startingfrom a number of twelve elements. The aesthetic attraction of the puzzlerises with an increasing number of puzzle elements.

In variant of the invention, the smallest tetrahedron-shaped puzzleelement is left out. Instead, a gap remains in the assembledtetrahedron. This may be an advantage with respect to manufacturingtechniques and appearance, particularly when the game is designed as asmall object. The gap may also be used for accommodating an article,such as a piece of jewelry, or the like.

A further development provides a holding device which is mounted on thesmallest puzzle element. In FIGS. 1 and 2, it is represented as a threadwith a loop 1. This holding device facilitates the handling of the game.It may, for example, be a chain, a band, a ring or a thread and may alsobe constructed as a decorative element.

The puzzle game may be manufactured from firm materials, such as metal,plastic, plexiglass, wood or cardboard. The puzzle bodies may be solidor hollow. The visual effect of the game can be heightened by differentmaterials, a coloring or a surface treatment of the individual elementsor of their individual surfaces.

The special attraction of this game is the unexpected transformation ofone shape into another orderly shape which is surprising. The joy inthis transformation is long lasting even beyond the first surprise sothat the puzzle continues to be enticing. The correct assembling methodis usually not recognized immediately because the flat helically woundband seems to have nothing in common with the solid tetrahedron. Oncethe solution has been found, the puzzle can be assembled again rapidlyand easily so that one does not hesitate to disassemble it again.

Although the invention has been described and illustrated in detail, itis to be clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration andexample, and is not to be taken by way of limitation. The spirit andscope of the present invention are to be limited only by the terms ofthe appended claims.

I claim:
 1. A three-dimensional puzzle including connected togetherpuzzle elements, said puzzle elements including a plurality of truncatedpyramids connected to one another in ascending size order to form ahelical band which widens from top to bottom when in an unassembledcondition and to form a tetrahedron when in an assembled condition.
 2. Athree-dimensional puzzle according to claim 1, wherein the truncatedpyramid puzzle elements are obtained by a plane cut through a regulartetrahedron parallel to one of the surfaces of a regular tetrahedron. 3.A three-dimensional puzzle according to claim 2, wherein said puzzleelements are connected to one another along respective abutting edges sothey can be folded about an axis along the abutting edges.
 4. Athree-dimensional puzzle according to claim 3, comprising atetrahedron-shaped puzzle element connected to a smallest of thetruncated pyramid puzzle elements, said tetrahedron-shaped puzzleelement filling in an apex of the tetrahedron when in the assembledcondition.
 5. A three-dimensional puzzle according to claim 3,comprising a connecting device by which the puzzle can be held.
 6. Athree-dimensional puzzle according to claim 5, wherein said connectingdevice is connected to a smallest one of the puzzle elements.
 7. Athree-dimensional puzzle according to claim 1, wherein said puzzleelements are connected to one another along respective abutting edges sothey can be folded about an axis along the abutting edges.
 8. Athree-dimensional puzzle according to claim 1, comprising atetrahedron-shaped puzzle element connected to a smallest of thetruncated pyramid puzzle elements, said tetrahedron-shaped puzzleelement filling in an apex of the tetrahedron when in the assembledcondition.
 9. A three-dimensional puzzle according to claim 8,comprising a connecting device by which the puzzle can be held, saidconnecting device being connected to the tetrahedron-shaped puzzleelement.
 10. A three-dimensional puzzle according to claim 9, whereinthe connecting device is one of a chain, a thread, and a ring.
 11. Athree-dimensional puzzle according to claim 1, comprising a connectingdevice by which the puzzle can be held.
 12. A three-dimensional puzzleaccording to claim 11, wherein said connecting device is connected to asmallest one of the puzzle elements.
 13. A three-dimensional puzzleaccording to claim 11, wherein the connecting device is one of a chain,a thread, and a ring.